A credit report lists accounts and payment information used in lending decisions. Reviewing it before applying for housing or a loan leaves time to investigate mistakes.
Use the authorized source
AnnualCreditReport.com is the federally authorized site for free reports from the three nationwide bureaus.
Reports can differ
A lender may report to one bureau and not another, so checking only one file can miss information.
Dispute with documents
Identify the specific item, explain the error, and keep copies of supporting records and correspondence.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Free Credit Reports.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Disputing Errors on Your Credit Reports.